Hidden Narratives: Segun Emmanuel Akinremi’s Lens on Memory, Place, Belonging
Nigerian-born creative professional Segun Emmanuel Akinremi is fast becoming a rising voice in the UK’s art and media scene. From videography in Lagos to fine-art photography and moving-image exhibitions in Britain, his journey reflects resilience, innovation, and a commitment to storytelling. In this interview with Ihesiulo Grace, Akinremi speaks on his beginnings, inspirations, achievements, and the meaning behind his latest October 2025 exhibition.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us where your journey began?
My name is Segun Emmanuel Akinremi. I was born in Lagos, though my roots are in Abeokuta, Ogun State. I didn’t study film or photography formally I’m self-trained. My journey really started when I was working with my sister at her events company, capturing red carpet moments. It gave me exposure, but I wanted independence. I wanted something that was mine.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the creative industry full-time?
Honestly, the need for a stable source of income as a young Nigerian played a role. But beyond survival, I realized I loved telling stories through visuals. A camera became more than a tool; it became my voice.
How did you break into the industry?
In 2018, I teamed up with my colleague Mike Kure and a recording label. We worked on music videos and promotional materials. That was my starting point—videography focusing on culture, music, and events. By 2020, I moved into photography because I found both crafts compatible.
You’ve worked with a number of musicians. Can you tell us about that experience?
I’ve been fortunate to collaborate on music videos with artists like CDQ and Marvo Fivestarzs, both upcoming and established talents in Nigeria and the UK. I also worked on advert videos for Nigerian Life & Provident Company Pension Funds Managers (NLPC PFA) and other private companies. Those experiences built my portfolio and prepared me for the transition abroad.
What changed for you after relocating to the UK?
The move allowed me to focus more on fine-art photography and moving image. In Nigeria, my work was more commercial. In the UK, I’ve had the chance to explore creativity on a deeper level storytelling that captures migration, identity, and overlooked narratives. My practice exists at the intersection of applied and visual art, utilizing landscape, daily life, and memory to convey social and cultural messages.
What have been some recent highlights in your career?
Winning the Business Awards UK Excellence in Creative Editing (Videography) in December 2024 was a big moment. In 2025, I also showcased at the Photopia International Exhibition (Hidden Assets). Another highlight has been working as a fine-art photography instructor on a freelance contract with the Home Office for prison education programs. It’s fulfilling to see how art can impact lives even in disadvantaged spaces.
Tell us about Kaboom Media Productions
Kaboom Media Productions is my creative business. It’s where I bring together fine-art photography, moving-image production, and commissioned visual work. The idea is not just to produce visuals but to craft narratives that resonate with people, especially from African and immigrant backgrounds. Alongside editorial and commercial projects, I offer skills workshops and mentoring focusing on employability and creative confidence for disadvantaged learners.
How do you see your role as a Nigerian creative in the diaspora?
It’s not just about making art. It’s about representation. I want to show that Nigerians can innovate and lead in visual storytelling globally. We have unique stories and perspectives that the world needs to see.
Your latest exhibition opened on September 11th 2025. What does it represent?
This exhibition is personal. It combines moving imagery to explore the tension between presence and displacement, reflecting on how identity is shaped by movement, memory, and belonging. It’s about showing the beauty and the struggle that often remain unseen.
Professional Critique & Analysis:
Akinremi’s video submission for the Circular ArtSpace 30th Community Art exhibition extends his inquiry into spaces of transition and belonging, offering an emotionally charged meditation on displacement. The work lingers on fragments of landscapes and shifting imagery that echo the instability of memory and the fluidity of identity. Rather than presenting a fixed narrative, Akinremi composes an experiential journey slowing perception so that absence becomes palpable and the in-between is given form. This experimental approach situates his practice at the intersection of moving-image art and personal cartography, where the visual medium becomes a tool for mapping the psychological terrain of migration, loss, and reimagined notions of home.
Akinremi’s October exhibition reflects bold experimentation and maturity. His imagery blends symbolism, light, and movement to create socially conscious art. While he is still refining thematic cohesion across collections, his evolution marks him as a prospective leader in the UK creative industry and a powerful voice in African diaspora artistry.
